Pantene shampoo and conditioner has become a controversial topic. On one hand, this product is known to allow your hair to feel smooth, with an attractive scent, for an affordable price. On the contrary, many people have come to Pantene with complaints about not finding any improvement in their hair texture.
Taking matters into my own hands, I decided to do some research. What is in this product that causes such an uproar? After some investigation, I found a few common ingredients in Pantene shampoo that might make a person a little uneasy. This includes Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and Sodium. These are all harsh chemicals that contribute to the weakening of hair follicles, resulting in dry and fragile hair. According to the article, ¨What Happens When You Use Pantene¨, professional cosmetologist, Erika, says that “waxes and silicones coat your hair a little more every time you use Pantene… with time, your hair will start to look dull, become harder to manage & style, lose its shape, etc..” As studies show, an outer coating of wax does not repair and protect hair deep into the core. Instead, it provides a surface level touch-up, leading to a fake, waxy facade.
Pantene users and hairdressers have more to say about this topic. A stylist commenting on Erika’s article, Kristy, mentions that she doesn’t love “the waxy texture left on [her] hands after handling hair that has weeks, months, to years of Pantene use on it.” She then continues to explain the crayon scent that lingers on her hands and in the client’s hair, as well as “wax dust” that is found when cutting and combing through the hair.
Another user of this product, Amanda, then comments her own personal story. She demonstrates that her hairdresser refuses to color Amanda’s hair if she had been using Pantene shampoo and conditioner, due to the build-up left on the hair. Instead of denying it, professional cosmetologist, Erika, agrees and responds that “the color WON’T last if you continue to use Pantene products.” These are both concrete reasons as to why this brand has been causing such a commotion. This confirms that real people experience actual difficulties with this brand. Although it may be cheap, it is proven to be insufficient.
These are all evidentiary points, yet there are always two sides to a story. In acknowledgment to the recent negative criticism, The Beauty Brains writes a responsive article, “Pantene Is Bad For Hair Myth Busted.” In summary, these scientists argue that “when women feel that they have build-up from their shampoos and conditioners, it is often a sign that the products they are using are too heavy for their hair, and they may be more satisfied with a lower conditioning version.” The Beauty Brains dispute that each hair type is different, and reacts in its own way to the product.
With this being said, it may be impossible to say which products are superior to others, due to the fact that each person reacts to the ingredients in various ways. The only way to crack this mystery is to try it out for yourself and see how it makes you feel; in the end, that is what matters most.